Special to The Enterprise

Happy 2012 from Street Smarts! While you’re reviewing your list of new year’s resolutions this year, commit to making safety a top priority.

Distracted driving: Distracted driving is any activity that diverts a driver’s attention from the road, including eating, using a cell phone, looking at directions, adjusting a radio and grooming.

Any type of distraction endangers driver, passenger and bystander safety, and because text-messaging requires visual, manual and cognitive attention from the driver, it is by far the most dangerous distraction.

Here are just a few of the frightening statistics associated with texting and cell phone use:

* Text-messaging creates a crash risk 23 times greater than normal;

* Sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent — at 55 mph — of driving the length of an entire football field, blind; and

* Driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37 percent.

California law requires that:

* A person shall not drive a car while using an electronic wireless communications device to write, send or read a text-based communication;

* A person shall not drive a car while using a wireless telephone unless that telephone is specifically designed and configured to allow hands-free listening and talking; and

* Any person under the age of 18 shall not drive a motor vehicle while using a wireless telephone, even if equipped with a hands-free device.

Bicycle safety: Also important to remember are laws regarding bicycle safety. California law states that all riders and passengers on bikes, scooters, roller skates, Rollerblades or skateboards under the age of 18 must be wearing a helmet at all times. Kids and their parents can be fined up to $250 for not abiding by this law.

Not only that, but — according to Safe Kids — nearly 88 percent of traumatic head injuries could be avoided with proper helmet use, preventing an estimated 75 percent of fatal head injuries and nearly 45,000 head injuries to children who ride bikes each year.

Now that we are in the season with the fewest daylight hours, it is more important than ever to make sure you are safe when riding in the dark. You should have plenty of reflectors and a good light for your bicycle.

According to the California Vehicle Code, riders are required by law to use a light at night. Additionally, bikes are required to have reflectors on each wheel, the front (white) and back (red), and on both pedals. Your light should be charged and ready to go at all times.

Always carry back-up batteries if you ride in the dark a lot, and don’t forget to wear clothing with reflective stripes or features. It truly makes a difference and could save your life.

There are several fun ways to add reflection to yourself and your family and friends during these dark winter days. Local bike shops sell arm and leg bands that are highly reflective. There are also fun reflector stickers shaped like stars, dinosaurs, flowers and a variety of other playful designs that kids of all ages can stick to their bikes, helmets, backpacks and clothing.

Additionally, there are great accessories that can be added to bikes to help increase their visibility at night, so get creative and be safe!

Car seats: A new car seat safety law went into effect Jan. 1. All children must continue to use a booster seat until they are either 8 years old or 80 pounds. This is now California law.

Drivers who are caught not complying with the new state law can face fines starting at $475. For information on the new law or for help determining if a child still needs a booster seat, contact a local California Highway Patrol office or visit www.cdph.ca.gov/vosp.

While graduating from a “baby” seat into a big kid booster, or from a booster to an “adult” seat is somewhat of a rite of passage for many children, resist the urge to cave in to your kids and keep them in the safer seats for as long as possible. Motor vehicle occupant injuries are among the leading causes of death and hospitalization among children.

For more information, visit the Street Smarts website at www.cityofdavis.org/StreetSmarts or contact me at (530) 757-5640.

— Rachel Hartsough is the city of Davis’ Street Smarts coordinator.

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Anastasia Bates, a fifth-grader at Patwin Elementary School, uses artwork to make a point about safe driving. Courtesy sketch

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